Pirates kidnap 6 Vietnamese sailors off Philippine coast

HANOI, Vietnam – State media and a maritime official say pirates have attacked a Vietnamese cargo ship and kidnapped six of its crew members off the Philippines' Basilan island.

The Tuoi Tre newspaper reported that the ship, named "Royal 16," was on its way from Vietnam's northern port city of Hai Phong to Indonesia with 19 crew members and a cargo of cement when it was attacked early Friday.

It said six crew members were kidnapped. After the attack, the ship anchored safely at Zamboanga port in the southern Philippines with the remaining 13 crew members, including one who suffered gunshot wounds in the arm.

A Vietnam Maritime Administration official confirmed the attack, but gave no details.

The agency has asked regional and international anti-piracy agencies for help.